Throughout pregnancy, the mammary glands prepare for their postpartum function - feeding. The breasts grow and become heavier, so it is necessary to wear a comfortable bra that supports, but does not constrain the chest in any way. The most comfortable bra that allows you to expose one side of the chest - a woman will be able to use it after childbirth when feeding. Bras need to be changed from time to time depending on changes in breast size. A properly selected bra is a guarantee that the breasts will not sag later. With each washing of the breast, it should be properly lathered, washed and dried with a hard towel. Women with experience say that it is easier to give birth three times than to feed with cracked nipples. If the nipples are healthy and strong, feeding is a pleasure for both mother and baby. Therefore, they must be prepared for future feeding.
If cracks appear on the nipples, they not only cause pain, but through them an infection enters the milk ducts, causing inflammation and high temperature so that in some cases surgery is required.
After washing, you need to do the nipples. In some women, they are strong enough on their own, in others they are tender. At the end of the third month of pregnancy, when pressed, a few drops are released from the chest. If it remains on the nipple, a crust may form that irritates the skin. When washing, the crust must be removed, then with one hand clasp the breast, and how to rub the nipple with a towel in different directions. After 2 months, a soft towel can be replaced with a hard terry towel. By the end of pregnancy, the nipples can also be strengthened with a not very stiff brush. Since the nipples dry out during firming procedures, it is useful to lubricate them with lanolin cream every time. In no case should you wipe the nipples with alcohol.
Flat or inverted nipples
Flat or inverted nipples are very rare and do not prevent breastfeeding. If the nipples are flat, they should be given special attention. After washing, grab the nipple with cleanly washed fingers with trimmed nails (large, index and middle) and carefully pull it away, then release and repeat again. Or with one hand to support the chest, and with the other hand - large and ring fingers grab the nipple and with some care, but rather strongly scroll between the fingers for up to 20-30 seconds. Reception can be repeated several times during the day.
To form an adequate reaction of the nipples and some of their elongation, a woman is recommended to do a simple exercise twice a day during the last trimester of pregnancy - rhythmic compression of the base of the nipple between the two thumbs, first in a horizontal plane, then in a vertical one. The exercise is performed within a few minutes.
From the 7th month of pregnancy, after consultation with an obstetrician, you can use nipple formers that are inserted into the bra cup. Nipple shapers are recommended to be worn from the 32nd week of pregnancy.
If the baby refuses or is unable to breastfeed after delivery, express breastfeeding and supplement the baby with this milk. Use one of the alternative methods feeding (feeding from a cup or spoon with previously expressed milk, feeding with the optional Medela SNS feeding system) in parallel with the nipple formers. After 2-4 weeks, the nipples usually enlarge so much that it allows you to apply the baby directly to the breast and refuse various devices.
If that doesn't work for you, use nursing pads. Select right size S or L.
In order to subsequently wean the child from the lining, you should: quickly remove it at the time of active sucking of the child and quickly attach it to the nipple again; Trim the nipple pad little by little until the baby reaches the nipple of the breast.
Employees of the Department of Children's Diseases N3 with courses of endocrinology and homeopathy FUV of the Russian State Medical University L.I. Ilyenko and A.Yu. Kostenko.
An article from the book "A book for parents about breastfeeding and the rules for caring for newborns."
A.Yu. Ilyenko L.I., Kostenko
Discussion
i need information about breast milk and lactation all
08/28/2004 01:56:07 PM, alisherWhy "wash your chest"? "Wash your chest"!
05/24/2003 04:27:45, Anya"With every washing of the breast, it must be properly lathered, washed and wiped with a hard towel" .. well, well.
then give birth prematurely, then die from cracks.
madhouse, not advice.
Very useful information, especially for newbies like me. But what if the nipples hurt from the first weeks of pregnancy? Is it correct?
Answer please!
And I thought that it’s not recommended to touch the nipples at the end of pregnancy, since this is one of the proven ways to stimulate childbirth ... Yes, and the doctor told me the same the other day ... In addition, if washing the breasts with soap is the right way to cracks...
Excuse me, but these employees of the Department of Childhood Diseases are idiots. so as not to cause psychological damage to the expectant mother. great advice- comfortable and good bra. The breast does not change during feeding, but during pregnancy, so it is very important to maintain it. Women with large breasts even wear bras at night.
I didn't cook my breasts during my pregnancy. Not to say that everything went smoothly for me. There was one crack. But this is because the ducts were not developed, the milk was difficult to suck out, and the little ones wanted to eat. As soon as I developed the ducts (in collaboration with Ilya:) everything worked out. I doubt that it was possible to develop ducts during pregnancy.
who can do it. I had a miscarriage throughout my pregnancy. it was scary to even touch the nipples - contractions began. and it was painful for all 3 weeks, until she stopped feeding due to lack of milk. and I also think that if the nipple is large and flat (like mine), then the child will still pull it out better mom, but he will take exactly as much into his mouth as he can at first, he won’t take more anyway, because his mouth is still small
Perhaps some of this is worth doing if there are really problems with the shape of the nipples. But just like that ... It's like a runny nose - you treat it - in 7 days, you don't treat it - in a week. You cook nipples - they hurt for a week. You don’t cook nipples - they hurt for a week: o))) ...
Comment on the article "Preparing the breast for lactation"
Breast preparation for feeding: truth or myth? Often, mothers and grandmothers begin to advise how to prepare the breast for feeding so that there are no nipple cracks later: rub the nipples with a wet towel, put a waffle towel in the bra, etc. However, all these tips are in vain, because there is no need for any special breast preparation. On the contrary, such methods of preparation can be harmful: stimulation of the nipples leads to uterine contraction, which can provoke hypertonicity and the threat of interruption ...
Discussion
I also did not prepare the breast in advance and there were no cracks, the main thing here is that the child is properly attached to the breast
I also encountered cracks. It's good that they told me about silicone pads knowledgeable people-friends))) about their existence.)) At least during feeding she got rid of the pain and her breasts healed faster.
Do I need to prepare the breast for feeding? How to prepare the breast for feeding so that there are no cracks? There are many tips and they are all different: rub the nipples with a wet towel, put a waffle towel in a bra, etc. No special breast preparation is required. On the contrary, these preparation methods can be harmful: stimulation of the nipples leads to uterine contractions, and this can provoke a threatened abortion. To avoid cracks, you must follow the rules for attaching the child to ...
Discussion
I cooked because I have anatomically flat nipples (Did special exercises, and I also bought overlays from Chikko. That's the only way to breastfeed.
And I read a lot about washing my breasts with soap before feeding, but since the baby is always hungry, I didn’t have time to wash with soap, but just boiled water prepared in advance.)
How to survive the “stormy rush” of milk for a nursing mother? Immediately after childbirth and during the first 2-3 days, colostrum is produced in the breast. It stands out in small quantities, and mom almost does not feel it. Then, by the end of the 3rd, the beginning of the 4th day after childbirth, the breast begins to increase in size, become more dense and tense. These changes indicate the beginning of the milk arrival process. Often they are accompanied by pain, a slight increase in local temperature ...
Discussion
I had little milk after giving birth, as they did C-section. Some of the tips from the article were needed when weaning the baby from the breast.
During the first pregnancy, she suffered for a very long time, she expressed herself. And when I gave birth to a son, I bought a breast pump, heaven and earth, much easier and very convenient!
Breastfeeding and childcare advice Breastfeeding is essential to the successful development and health of your baby. Our consultants will help you: learn the technique breastfeeding; learn how to care for a newborn and a child in the first three years of life; prolong lactation and transfer from a bottle to breastfeeding; tell you how to combine breastfeeding with going to work; wean off; arrange for the feeding of an adopted child. They will help you and tell you how...
Discussion
It’s a pity that at one time I didn’t meet such consultants (I will definitely recommend subscribing to this blog to my sister)
It's great when young and inexperienced mothers have the opportunity to consult and get answers to exciting questions. Indeed, often mothers have no one to ask a question, despite the fact that there are many advisers around (sometimes they give unreasonable advice that can harm)
Non-healing cracks in the nipples. We're a little over a month old. Full GW. On right chest It's been three weeks since the crack hasn't healed. I can only express with a breast pump, and very little. In this breast, moreover, there is much less milk than in a healthy one ...
Discussion
Cream lanolin Ardo heals well. It is fragrance and color free. It can be applied before feeding (it is not necessary to wash off), and after feeding it is possible. So more efficient.
Girls, what are we seeing? what is his joke? I looked in the instructions - there is nothing but vitamin A and wax in the composition. What makes him live?
Time flies unnoticed, and yesterday's helpless baby today is already a completely independent toddler. And as sad as it is to realize, his need for a mother is becoming a little less. First of all, this applies, of course, to breastfeeding. When the child is about one and a half to two years old, the mother is faced with the question of how to wean the baby from the breast. In order for this process to go most painlessly, mom needs to know a few physical and psychological ...
But to be honest, the extra nipples look like birthmarks, you just have to look closely until you figure out what it is. So those who are not in the know do not even notice, neither in the bathhouse nor on the beach!
We tried different nipples (but she seems to be choking on them), smeared pacifiers with everything except honey - nothing helps. All doctors say healthy. The atmosphere in the house seems to be calm. There is enough milk for sure, i.e. It's not from hunger that she sucks like that.
Discussion
There is no reason to worry here. As you noted, the child needs to satisfy his sucking reflex, and the baby simply has an urgent need to communicate with you, the satisfaction of which he receives through sucking and sleeping in the same bed with you. Endure this time, everything will change soon, in children it happens very quickly. My daughter and I have the same thing, we are almost 4 months old, one night she sleeps beautifully alone in a crib, the other is necessary with her mother and with boobs in her mouth. Most importantly, feel your child. Good luck.
I have such a child. I have reconciled))). off. And how can you spread a pacifier for the baby? (It's scary to think))))
Point the nipple at the baby’s nose and place the breast on the lower jaw approximately at the border of the areola (well, if you have a large areola, then let’s roughly understand ... Now I compared it with a healthy one, her upper lip does not turn out there either, only the lower one, but there is no hurt.
Discussion
In general, both lips should be turned out on the chest. Perhaps the lip is turned inwards due to the fact that the breast does not fit into the baby's mouth, but is sucked in. Try to apply like this: form a crease, supporting the chest from above with your thumb, from below with four fingers. Thumb parallel upper lip, index - lower. Point the nipple at the baby's nose and place the breast on the lower jaw approximately at the border of the areola (well, if you have a large areola, then let's focus on 2.5-3 cm from the nipple). After that, the breast turns from top to bottom into the baby's mouth, and both lips should be turned inside out.
I broke my head while writing. :-) I'm not sure that I wrote clearly, but try it. If it doesn’t work out in any way, and pain remains, maybe it’s worth inviting a consultant. Showing on your chest and with your baby is much easier than trying to describe it in words.
Now you can try to feed in a different position to heal the cracks. How do you usually feed?
Ladies, when and how to sterilize nipple covers if they are only needed in the postpartum ward? I wanted to prepare it myself now, but then I thought - how then to store them sterilized and how to transport them to the taxiway?
The reason is very tight nipples (the literal "diagnosis" of a nurse who helped me clear my throat in the hospital). In general, now solve your main task for this period: to endure and give birth to a healthy baby.
Discussion
Now you can enjoy your pregnancy :-), and find a consultant who is closer to your edges. You can even get to know him even before the birth. Take care of a place for childbirth, where you can be together with the baby, and it’s good that with the opportunity to visit relatives, so that the consultant can come to the maternity hospital, if such a need arises.
As for "tight nipples" and "narrow ducts" - as a rule, the problem is still in attachment to the chest. And what you are describing is "The breast became huge and hard, that is, it was almost impossible to press on the area around the nipples (to express)." - this is engorgement, most likely aggravated by swelling, and the breast pump in this situation only makes it worse. You are not to blame for this, but the staff of the maternity hospital could give you more attention. The engorgement arose from the fact that the breast was not emptied either by the baby or with the help of competent pumping, and again, possibly due to swelling. I can’t say why the edema occurred, but there are statistics on the relationship of edema with intravenous infusions during childbirth, for example. Well, it's not so important, in principle. :-) The main thing is that even with edema, you can empty your chest if you act correctly.
Lactostasis is fought by emptying the breast. But it is better to prevent it with the help of the same normal emptying of the chest. As for the blind lobule, this phenomenon is not so rare and does not interfere with feeding - with proper handling of this lobule, milk simply stops being produced there, and it no longer interferes with anyone.
In general, now solve your main task for this period: to endure and give birth to a healthy baby. :-) May you succeed the best way. :-) I hope that this time you will not have so many difficulties with the start of feeding, but still stock up on the phone of consultants just in case. Health to you and mild pregnancy!
Day healthy eating. She examined the nipples, her daughter's mouth, found nothing unusual. What to do? What could it be and who should I contact?
For any pain in the chest, it is better not to pull ... go to a specialist. I wish you all good health.
I have also been very sensitive throughout my pregnancy. The midwife told me to do a light massage in the shower with soap, a maximum of 1 minute for two, rpo a little bit at all (then it doesn’t hurt at all) and now it’s normal, I can touch easily. BUT she told me this somewhere from the 34th week, how much do you have?
The nipples fall off, as I remember now, but fortunately it usually lasts only a few days, then it will be easier and you can wait up to 3 months, when it comes. We had exactly the same picture. An absolutely healthy baby demanded a breast every half an hour.
Discussion
At 3 weeks, most babies behave this way. Just at this time, the first growth spurt occurs and the child eats more often, this is completely normal and it is necessary to breastfeed so that the amount of milk is produced in accordance with the increased needs. The nipples fall off, as I remember now, but fortunately it usually lasts only a few days, then it will be easier and you can wait up to 3 months when the next jump comes :)
We had exactly the same picture. An absolutely healthy baby demanded a breast every half an hour. Didn't get off my hands at all. The only way out is to give her what she asks for, it's easier, in the sense of nerves. :)) And gradually she herself will stop eating so much.
The doctor told me that some children simply do not want to be away from their mother (or father). :) A good self-preservation instinct, because without you she is nowhere. :)
Maria Sokolova
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Changes in the female breast begin to occur even at the stage of pregnancy. The breast becomes heavier, becomes sensitive, changes in the size and color of the nipples - nature prepares the woman for the future feeding of the baby.
Is there any point in preparing the breast for feeding and how to do it?
Why is breast preparation necessary during pregnancy?
Some future mothers mistakenly think that preparing the breast for the birth of a baby is the prevention of cracked nipples.
In fact, the best prevention to eliminate the appearance of cracks - this is the execution, that is, proper attachment of the crumbs to the breast and proper release of the nipple from the child's mouth.
So why, then, and how exactly to prepare the breast for feeding?
- First, inspect the nipples. When they are retracted or flat shape breast capture by the baby is complicated. How to define it? Very simple: a normal nipple, under the influence of cold, stretches forward and takes on a convex shape, a retracted one is drawn into the areola, a flat one does not change shape at all. Custom shape will prevent the breast from being held in the baby's mouth. And although this is not a particularly serious problem, nevertheless, the preparation of the future " dairy factory» to feeding will not be superfluous.
- Take care of buying the right "outfit" in advance. Your "nursing" bra should be exclusively natural, have detachable cups and, preferably, wide straps.
- Don't forget about and take time to maintain the elasticity of the breast skin (cream, supporting bra, shower, etc.).
What not to do:
- Harden nipples. The expectant mother absolutely does not need procedures for “resorption” of the nipples, rubbing them with a towel and other people's councils. Remember: nature has already prepared the female breast for feeding, and you can only slightly correct those points that can really become a problem (nipple sensitivity, flat nipples, etc.). And it is worth remembering that any manipulation of the nipples on later dates able to tone the uterus, as well as provoke childbirth.
- Soften nipples with cream. Breasts produce natural lubrication on their own! And nipple softening cream is just a way to profit from the gullibility of ignorant mothers. A special ointment is needed only when cracks appear on the nipples during feeding (and that is prescribed by a doctor).
Preparing breasts for feeding with flat nipples
There is no reason to panic. Even if you do not take care of the problem of flat nipples in advance, then after a month of feeding, the baby himself will stretch the nipples to the desired state .
Main - avoid bottles and pacifiers . Feeling more comfortable for sucking objects, the baby will simply refuse the breast.
So, how to prepare the chest?
- Special exercises. We stretch the areola, squeeze the nipples between the fingers - we are not zealous in order to avoid trouble (uterine tone). For each action - a maximum of a minute.
- The doctor's consultation, lactation specialist. We are learning how to properly attach a child to the chest.
- Remove all purchased nipples and bottles in a distant drawer.
- Don't listen to advice, like - "with such nipples it is better to feed from a bottle than torturing yourself and the child."
- Understand that the baby will suck on the breast with any nipples if you don't disturb him!
- Use a breast pump and manual pumping after starting feeding. They will also help in stretching the nipples, if there are no contraindications to pumping.
Also, special pads that gently press on the areola
(they are put into a bra), and proofreaders acting on the principle of a pump. But, before engaging in such procedures, consult a specialist.
Increased nipple sensitivity
Often, discomfort when feeding a baby arises from high nipple sensitivity .
How can you get out of trouble?
- Use bras from coarse fabric (linen, terry, etc.) or put pads made of coarse material into the bra cups.
- Do not rub the nipples and do not use lotions containing alcohol! These manipulations break the protective layer of the areola and injure the nipples. You should also not overdry the skin of the nipples with soap - enough water and, if necessary, a special cream.
- Air baths more often for your chest (do not immediately tighten the chest with a bra after a shower, but wait a bit) and massage the chest with ice cubes from, for example, an infusion of oak bark.
- Massage your chest , slightly stretching the nipples.
Remember that with proper nipple latching, the discomfort will likely go away on its own in a couple of days. If the pain persists and even intensifies - consult a doctor and find out what is the reason.
How to keep the shape of the breast during pregnancy?
When it comes to the future of feeding a baby, one of the most exciting questions expectant mother - how not to lose the shape of the breast?
- The bra should perfectly support the bust without restricting movement.
- Do not buy a bra "for growth" . It is clear that the breast will increase in volume, but it is better to acquire it as the breast enlarges, taking into account that it does not pinch anywhere, does not rub, does not press, does not hang out.
- It is advisable to choose wide bra straps with good regulation.
- No synthetics! Only natural fabrics.
- Chest muscles are supported by appropriate exercises : we push up from the floor, walls, cross our arms extended in front of us, squeeze an object with our palms at chest level (palms - as in prayer, look at each other).
- If possible, exclude jumping, running.
- After filling the breast with milk, do not sleep on the stomach.
- We do not try to lose extra centimeters urgently immediately after childbirth.
- We feed the child correctly and in a comfortable position.
- Do breast massage regularly With natural oil(for example, jojoba).
That's all the main recommendations. But do not be too hard on the issue of breast preparation - do not rub it with hard washcloths, do not pour ice water over it and do not stimulate the nipples unnecessarily so as not to induce labor prematurely.
Learn useful information, tune in to the positive and prepare a reliable rear to meet a new big Person in your life!
How to feed the future baby, how to prepare the breast for feeding is a question of interest to many mothers, especially those for whom this is the first birth. To make the feeding process as comfortable as possible for you and your baby, there are several recommendations for preparing the breast for feeding. You need to start preparing even during pregnancy. Special attention preparatory procedures should be given to women with flat, inverted nipples and overly sensitive breasts.
Any manipulations with the breast require prior consultation with a doctor. He will talk about ways to prepare for feeding that are right for you, as well as help you avoid the most common mistakes among new mothers.
What is your nipple shape?
Some mothers who have flat nipples or inverted nipples start to panic that this will somehow interfere with feeding, that the baby will be uncomfortable. Actually, it won't hurt. You just need to prepare the nipples in advance.
The first thing to do is validate the form. Perhaps your suspicions are unfounded, and everything is in order with the form. Take the halo of the nipple with two fingers (forefinger and thumb) and lightly press - if the nipple is pulled inward, then the shape is not quite correct, if the nipple protrudes forward - it is convenient for feeding the baby. Also, a normal nipple, under the influence of cold, is pulled forward and takes on a convex shape, retracted - drawn into the areola, flat - does not change shape at all.
Flat or inverted nipples
- Massage. But it is in your power to change it slightly to make it more convenient to feed the baby. Enough effective method- massage. The first and simplest is stretching and twisting the nipples. With two fingers, gently pull on the nipple, twisting it slightly. Probably, there is no need to remind that the hands must be washed clean, and the nails trimmed and filed? But do not overdo it - the skin on them is very delicate, you can damage it. Also, too much twisting of the nipples can cause an increased tone of the uterus.
There is also the Hoffman maneuver that can be used to pull the nipple. Two thumbs should be placed at the base of the nipple and soft rubbing movements should be started with one finger up, the other down, then to the sides. Thus, the adhesions at the base of the flat (or inverted) nipple are loosened and it is brought out. It is recommended to do this exercise for several minutes 2-5 times a day. This method a little controversial, some experts consider it effective, others are extremely opposed.
- Special bra with special inserts and nipple correctors. The bra gradually changes the shape of the nipples, making them more convex. You can also find special correctors in the pharmacy that act on the principle of a pump. But often they cannot be worn - start putting on correctors a month before the birth of a child for about 5 minutes a day, gradually increasing the time to 30 minutes, and before engaging in such procedures, consult a specialist. After the baby is born, continue to put on correctors before feeding for 15 minutes. Correctors and pads put pressure on the areola area and help the nipple to stretch.
- The third method is a breast pump. Use it after the start of feeding, but consult in advance if you have any contraindications to pumping. It also helps to draw out the nipples.
In no case do not listen to the "advisers" who recommend switching to artificial feeding if the nipples are too flat (do not use a pacifier and a bottle with a nipple for feeding. Remember that in the case of inverted nipples, after a bottle with a nipple, you will definitely struggle with your baby's "nipple confusion";). Even if you didn’t have time to prepare your breast for feeding before the baby was born, don’t worry, the baby will do everything by itself. In the process of feeding with lip movements, he will gradually change the shape of the nipples. In this case, try to use bottles, nipples and pacifiers to a minimum.
What to do about nipple sensitivity
Nipples with hypersensitivity make every feeding a torture. You are distracted by discomfort, and this interferes with the comfortable feeding of the baby. Preliminary preparation of the nipples will help get rid of the problem. There are several ways to do this.
Moms take note!
Hello girls) I didn’t think that the problem of stretch marks would affect me, but I’ll write about it))) But I have nowhere to go, so I’m writing here: How did I get rid of stretch marks after childbirth? I will be very glad if my method helps you too ...
- Bra made of coarse fabric. The fabric should not be too hard so as not to injure the skin, but at the same time rough enough to help the halo get rid of excess sensitivity.
- Go without a bra more often - every day for 10-15 minutes, arrange air baths for your chest (walk bare-chested around the apartment). You can go to the nearest store without a bra - 10-15 minutes is just enough. In warm weather, you can expose your chest on the street in your summer cottage.
- Another way is massage with imitation of feeding a baby. Grasp the nipple with two fingers, squeeze lightly and begin to pull. But do not press too hard on the mammary glands - it may seem to the body that the feeding time has already begun.
- Do not rub the nipples and do not use lotions containing alcohol! These manipulations break the protective layer of the areola and injure the nipples.
Even if you don't have any problems with your nipples, there are a few guidelines for preparing them for feeding that you should follow:
- Try to avoid getting soap on the nipples so as not to overdry the skin - wiping the halo with a damp towel is enough;
- During pregnancy, the breasts increase in size. To prevent sagging breasts, you need to wear the right bra. It should not squeeze the chest, preventing proper blood circulation. It is recommended to choose underwear with wide straps, made from breathable hypoallergenic natural materials;
- Breast care. Preparing the breast for feeding includes taking proper care of the skin condition. In late pregnancy, it is recommended to avoid the use of aggressive cosmetics leading to overdrying of the epidermis;
- Compresses. You can make natural decoctions from oak bark or strong black tea, moisten a cotton swab in the solution and apply to the halo for several minutes. This strengthens them and prevents the appearance. Repeat the procedure several times a day;
- hardening. For a future mother, it is very important to harden her breasts, since during feeding she is in constant tension. The easiest way is air baths. You can also pour cold water over your chest. Gradually reduce the temperature - it is impossible to start pouring ice water over the nipples from the first procedures. A tonic effect has a dousing of the chest alternately with cool and warm water. Another way is to rub your chest with ice cubes. You can make a frozen decoction of chamomile, oak or string, which is good for the skin of the areola of the nipple. Ice cannot be kept for a long time to prevent hypothermia;
- Special bra. Its shape is specially designed to prepare the female breast for feeding the baby. When wearing such a bra, avoid tight and overly tight clothing;
- Massage. Periodically massage the chest, making circular movements around the breast. This increases blood flow and prevents pain during feeding ();
- Communication with the doctor and with other mothers. The waiting period for a baby is very exciting. Many questions arise in my head, including how feeding will take place. You can talk about this with your doctor. Ask him about everything that interests you. Also try to talk about this topic with other moms, ask about the problems they have faced, and learn from their experience. You can go to special classes for new mothers, where they will show you how to properly attach the baby to the breast, how to prepare her for feeding and how to take care of her after that.
If during pregnancy you responsibly approached the preparation of the breast for future feeding, after the birth of the baby, the process will be comfortable and painless for you. As soon as the baby is born, he will feel the mother's warmth, and your body will start the processes responsible for the production of milk.
How to keep your breasts in shape
- It is recommended to wear a special bra, just like during pregnancy. You can't let him squeeze his chest. Excessive squeezing of the mammary glands can lead to the fact that milk is completely lost. Do not buy it "for growth" - it is better to get a new one every time the breast increases or decreases. It is advisable to buy a bra with wide straps;
- Do special exercises. Push up from the floor or wall, squeeze an object with your palms, placing them with the inner side to each other, as in prayer, cross your arms in front of you. But skip jumping and running for a while;
- Don't sleep on your stomach when your breasts are full of milk;
- Do not try to drastically lose weight in the first time after the birth of a child;
- Feed the baby in the correct position ();
- Do regular breast massage with natural oils.
What Not to Do
- Rubbing the chest with a rough cloth, terry towel, put a rough fabric in a bra (so that the nipples become less sensitive), as doctors advised several decades ago, it is forbidden. From this, the skin around the nipples is erased and covered with cracks. Nature initially made the female breast ready for feeding the baby, you only need to slightly correct, if necessary, some points for personal comfort and convenience of feeding your crumbs;
- It is impossible to pull with force, massage the nipples, and also subject them to too strong manipulations in the later stages, otherwise you can cause an increased tone of the uterus and provoke premature birth;
- It is also impossible to smear nipples with cream. Natural lubrication by the breast is produced independently - this is enough. Do not trust the beautiful jars in stores and pharmacies with the inscription "nipple softening cream" - this is a skillful marketing ploy. An exception - the cream may be needed if there are cracks on the nipples, but subject to prior consultation with the doctor. Also, do not use alcohol-based lotions.
Breastfeeding is such an important process in all respects that it must be approached with special care. Breastfeeding develops natural immunity in a child, protects against allergens, nourishes with vitamins. In addition, putting the baby to the breast connects mother and child with a powerful emotional thread. To make this process painless, pleasant and comfortable, the breast for feeding must be prepared even before the baby is born.
How to prepare breasts for breastfeeding before childbirth
The main problem associated with breastfeeding is cracked nipples. Open cracks and wounds are a gateway for germs and infection. In addition, this is a very painful phenomenon, but it can be prevented. To do this, during pregnancy, even before childbirth, you need to prepare the nipples for the upcoming "work".
- Friction. Rub your nipples with a towel for five minutes. This will slightly roughen the skin of the nipples and make it stronger. If rubbing your nipples with a towel brings you pain and discomfort, you can slightly modify this process. Cut out two circles from terry cloth and sew them into the bra at the level of the nipples. Such a relaxed and light friction during long and regular wearing of underwear will perfectly prepare the breast for feeding.
- Compresses. To make the nipples slightly hardened and the skin become less sensitive, you can prepare compresses from black tea or oak bark. Brew strong black tea and soak cotton pads in it. Apply wet cotton pads to your chest, cover with cling film and put on a bra. Leave the black tea compress for 15-20 minutes. Instead of tea, oak bark can be used. The bark is crushed and poured with boiling water, simmered over low heat, and then insisted for several more hours. From a warm broth make a compress for the nipples. Oak bark and black tea contain a large number of tannins, which make the skin of the nipples rougher, harder and more elastic.
- Massage. To prepare the breast for feeding, open the milk ducts and soften the gland, you need to do a light gentle massage on the chest daily. Massage will soften the breast so that when milk appears in it, it will be easily sucked out by the baby. Massage should consist of stroking, patting and pinching movements. First, massage the skin around the nipple with circular light pressure. Then, with both hands, rub the mammary gland from the armpit towards the nipple. After that, lightly press on the top and bottom of the chest, as if we want to express milk. All these movements should not bring pain or discomfort - everything is gentle, soft, delicate. Massage should be done every day starting two months before the expected date of birth.
- hardening. This is an invariable component of preparing the nipple for feeding. To make the skin not so thin and vulnerable, the nipple needs to be hardened. For starters, you can carry out air baths. Go for a while without underwear at home or in nature. But be careful - it is undesirable to substitute nipples in direct sunlight. Along with air baths, water hardening can be carried out. Run warm or cool water on your nipples every day after showering. Gradually, every day, as your skin gets used to cold water, lower the temperature by one degree. Do not pour excessively cold water, do not lose your common sense.
We are all different, like our figures, faces and souls. Likewise, the shape of the nipple in each woman differs in its own characteristics. Even before giving birth, a woman needs to evaluate the shape of her nipple. The nipple may be convex, then sucking the breast for the baby is easier. If the nipple is flat or as if internal, the child cannot grasp it and sucking becomes problematic. Often, babies refuse to suck on such breasts, cry incessantly, and mothers are forced to transfer the child to artificial feeding. This can be avoided by preparing the breast shape for feeding in advance.
First you need to determine what shape your nipple is. To do this, lightly pinch it between two fingers. The pads of the fingers should be on the border of the areola. If at the same time the nipple popped out, then it is convex, and if it hid inward, then it is retracted.
If you have an inverted nipple, you need to gently pull the nipple with your hands, as if twisting it around its axis. Do not overdo it - excessive stimulation of the nipples can lead to premature birth.
The pharmacy has special vacuum pads that artificially pull the nipple out. They need to be worn for half an hour every day before giving birth. These pads will come in handy after childbirth, they will need to be put on 10 minutes before feeding to prepare the nipple and make it easier for the baby to suckle.
How to prepare your breasts before each feeding
Already after childbirth, women are wondering how to prepare their breasts before each feeding. There is no special preparation recipe, everything should be natural. Some women advise new mothers to wash their breasts before each feeding so that the nipple is clean. In fact, you shouldn't do this. Frequent washing of the nipple, especially with soap or shower gel, is very drying delicate skin halos. Taking a shower every day is usually sufficient.
Before feeding the baby, slightly remember the chest so that the milk flows more strongly and the baby is full. During one feeding, the child needs to be given one breast, so that the baby quenches his thirst with the front liquid milk, and gets enough of the back, more fatty and thick milk. This will make it easier for him to gain weight.
It is very important during lactation to pay attention to your underwear. The bra should be as comfortable and comfortable as possible. It is best if it is made of natural breathable fabrics. Choose a bra with wide straps, because the load on the shoulders increases - during the feeding period, the chest grows by one to one and a half sizes. Be sure to wear special nursing bras - they make the process much easier thanks to the opening nipple.
To get an idea about upcoming breastfeeding, talk to young women who have had a successful breastfeeding experience. They will tell you how to properly latch your baby to the breast, which affects milk production. The emotional component of the question is also important here. Optimistic reviews and pleasant memories of this touching period in a woman's life will create fertile ground for you. You will be looking forward to the moment when you can finally put your baby to the breast. And this will be the highest manifestation of love and devotion.
Proper breast preparation for lactation is the basis for a successful and painless feeding. Establish breastfeeding and enjoy these intimate moments of happiness and unity with your baby.
Video: breast preparation for feeding
To raise a healthy baby, it is important from the first days of life to provide him with good nutrition and comfortable conditions for development. Natural feeding and physical contact with the mother cannot be fully replaced by anything.
Expectant mothers often fear that breasts will lose their shape due to feeding, and the process itself will be associated with discomfort and provoke health problems (cracks in the nipples, lactose, mastitis).
Proper preparation of the breast for feeding will minimize the risk of damage to the nipples, the occurrence of congestive and inflammatory processes in the mammary glands.
In addition to physical preparation for breastfeeding, it is important to pay attention and right mental attitude. It is useful to communicate with mothers who have a happy experience of long-term feeding. Close contact with the child- it's deep emotional experiences, breastfeeding gives a feeling of comfort and happiness to mom and baby.
If from the beginning of pregnancy you tune in to breastfeeding child, many problems can be avoided because psychological barriers inevitably affect the physical condition. Classes for expectant mothers, consultations with breastfeeding specialists will help to prepare correctly.
How to prepare the breast for feeding? The prenatal preparation of the mammary glands includes:
- maintaining hygiene;
- correct selection of underwear;
- strengthening the skin of the nipples;
- hardening;
- breast massage.
Features of the physiology of the mammary glands
From nature female breast perfectly prepared for feeding children, so special manipulations are necessary only in extreme cases - if the shape of the nipple is flat or retracted, and the skin of the areola does not stretch well.
But even such a nipple can be used by the baby for its intended purpose, it is only important to spend some time accustoming the child to the correct grip.
To check the shape of the nipple, you should gently squeeze it with your index and thumbs, placing them on the border of the areola on both sides. If the nipple protrudes forward at the same time, it is convenient for feeding the baby. retracted or flat nipple with such manipulation will hide.
Preparing for breastfeeding is especially important if your nipples are Not good suitable shape . If the child does not grip properly, painful cracks form on the nipples. To avoid complications, it is recommended:
- perform a special massage;
- use devices to correct the shape of the nipple.
Massage is performed as follows: the nipple is grasped with two fingers and slowly pulled out with gentle twisting. In order not to injure the delicate skin of the nipple and not to cause an infection, the nails should first be cut and filed, and the hands should be washed thoroughly. The duration of the massage is about a minute for each nipple.
This type of massage must be agreed with the doctor observing the pregnancy, since stimulation of the nipples provokes uterine contractions. In some cases, this must be avoided in order to maintain the pregnancy.
Devices that allow you to change the shape of the nipples are sold in pharmacies. Correctors help elongate the nipples, making them comfortable for feeding the baby. Correctors are worn in the last trimester of pregnancy, gradually extending the time of use from five to thirty minutes a day.
After the baby is born, correctors are put on for 10-15 minutes before each feeding.
General nipple preparation
A few decades ago, expectant mothers in women's consultations recommended to make the nipples less sensitive. To coarsen the skin of the nipples, it was necessary to rub with a terry towel or put pieces of coarse fabric in the bra. Today, it has been proven that these measures are more harmful than helpful:
- when rubbing the nipples, its natural protective layer is removed from the skin;
- the risk of mechanical damage to the skin and subsequent infection of microwounds increases.
The breast should be washed daily, avoiding soaping the nipples, so as not to remove the natural protective barrier and not to overdry the delicate skin. If the nipples are healthy, there is no need to lubricate them with cream.
During pregnancy, the mammary glands increase in size. To prevent sagging breasts, it is important to wear the right bra. It should not squeeze the chest, preventing proper blood circulation. It is recommended to choose underwear with wide straps, made from breathable hypoallergenic natural materials.
Help strengthen the skin of the nipples compresses or baths of strong black tea or oak bark. Tannins penetrate the skin and contribute to its strengthening without loss of elasticity. For compresses and baths, decoctions of a comfortable temperature are used.
Hardening of the mammary glands
Hardening stimulates the immunity of the expectant mother, prepares her body for serious stress. The mammary glands need gradual hardening using air and water procedures. It is important to smoothly lower the water temperature and not bring it to extreme values.
Air baths are recommended to be taken within 10-15 minutes. To do this, it is enough to walk around the apartment with an open chest. At the next stage, the chest is successively doused with warm, cool and cold water. Pour cool water over the chest at the end of the daily shower.
Healthy nipples can be rubbed with ice cubes. This procedure hardens the body, stimulates blood circulation in the mammary glands, makes the skin of the nipples stronger and less sensitive. To nourish the skin, it is useful to use frozen vegetable decoctions.
Breast massage and gymnastics
- soft circular strokes of both glands, not affecting the areola of the nipples;
- stroking the breast in the upper part (to the nipple), from the side and from below, massage is performed on both breasts at the same time;
- one breast is taken in the hand and slightly raised, the second hand should be gently pressed from above.
Breastfeeding can affect its shape, and in order to minimize the consequences, special exercises should not be neglected during pregnancy. Exercises to strengthen the pectoral muscles are performed during the morning warm-up.
Prayer exercise. You should sit on a chair with your back straight, or stand up. The palms are folded at chest level with the fingers up, the elbows are spread apart. The lower parts of the palms press against each other with force, due to which the muscles that protect the mammary glands from sagging are tensed. The exercise is repeated 10-30 times. In each approach, you need to count to thirty, then relax the muscles.
If future mom collects and thinks about the information in advance on how to prepare the breast for feeding, and follows the recommendations, she has every chance to give the baby a good nutrition with mother's milk and close bodily contact, which is extremely important for both.
The infant period of a child’s life will remain in the mother’s memory as bright and comfortable if her body is properly tuned to the upcoming loads, and relatives and friends help create a favorable psychological background, help with the housework so that the mother devotes maximum time and effort to her baby.
